Thriving Unmedicated: Juggling ADHD and Sobriety Without the Safety Net" Hello there! Navigating the roller coaster of life with ADHD can be like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube while riding a unicycle, especially if you're in recovery from substance abuse. But don't worry, you're not alone in this circus act, and there are some juggling tricks that can help you keep all the balls in the air without relying on medication. First, let's talk about the elephant in the room: stimulant medications. While they can be helpful, they're not the only act in town, especially for those with a history of substance abuse. In fact, some experts suggest that stimulant medication might even prevent recovering addicts with ADHD from relapsing (SM Sarkis, 2015). So, what's the alternative? Think of it as swapping out the tightrope for a balance beam - still challenging, but with a little less risk. One approach is to focus on personal recovery, which isn't just about m...

  Recovery Roulette: Navigating the Lonesome Road with a Wink and a Smile.  In the dimly lit corridors of recovery, where echoes of past follies linger like the faint smell of disinfectant, one may find themselves meandering a bit too solitarily. It’s the kind of solitude where you’ve memorized every crack in the ceiling because, let’s face it, it’s become your new Netflix. But here’s the kicker: being alone in recovery is like trying to tickle yourself – it’s possible, but it’s weird, and you’ll look ridiculous doing it. Now, why is flying solo on this turbulent journey not recommended? Picture this: You’re the lone wolf, howling at the moon, but the only response is the unsettling silence of your own echo. It’s not just the lack of a return howl that’s concerning; it’s the fact that isolation can lead to a mental tango with your own shadows. In the absence of a support system, your brain becomes a playground for the ghosts of Addictions Past. But do we recover alone? Techn...

Navigating Life's Challenges in Recovery: A Personal Journey Life, as we know, is often unpredictable and full of challenges that test our resolve, our patience, and our ability to stay true to the principles we’ve worked so hard to uphold. As a counselor and someone who is in recovery, I've learned that the path to healing and growth is not a straight line but a winding road with its fair share of hurdles. Today, I faced one such hurdle – a personal setback that reverberated through the core of my parental instincts. I had high hopes for my son, who is autistic, to join a charter school that specializes in nurturing children like him. Unfortunately, he was not accepted; the reason given was that he did not "buy into" the program sufficiently. That news hit me like a ton of bricks. It brought forth a whirlwind of emotions — anger, hurt, and an intense urge to spring into action, to fix what seemed so unjustly broken. My hustler mind kicked into high gear, searching fo...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT as those in the know call it, has become a beacon of hope in the bleak and often puzzling world of addiction recovery. Now, before you envision a group of addicts sitting around cross-legged chanting mantras about feelings and healing, let me assure you it's less about singing "Kumbaya" and more about rewiring the noggin for sober living. So, what is this miraculous CBT? Imagine your brain as a somewhat moody teenager – occasionally cooperative but prone to tantrums and bad decisions. CBT is like the cool aunt or uncle that swoops in with wisdom and quirky life hacks that gradually teach the teen how to cope without throwing a fit every time it doesn’t get its way – or in our case, every time it craves a fix. Let's dive into the day-to-day grind for John Doe on his quest for sobriety. After admitting that he’s been on better dates than the ones with his addiction, old Johnny decides to give CBT a whirl. His therapist is no ordinary...